Start Your Engines!: The 'Mario Kart' Quiz

The "Super Mario" spinoff "Mario Kart" is one of Nintendo's most successful franchises. Do you know all the tricks and cheats when it comes to playing "Mario Kart"? Kick your quiz-taking skills into high gear, and find out how much you really know about the series. Here we go!

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Question 1 of 30

What does the Needle Bomb do?

pops an opponent's tires

The Needle Bomb pops opponents' tires and slows them down so you can beat them to the finish.

damages an opponent's engine

impales an opponent

Question 2 of 30

Which version of "Mario Kart" is the best-selling in the series?

"Mario Kart 7"

"Mario Kart Wii"

"Mario Kart Wii" has sold more than 35 million copies.

"Mario Kart 8"

Question 3 of 30

In "Mario Kart 8" wood tires have the same characteristics as what other tires?

cushion tires

Wood tires and cushion tires have about the same acceleration and traction.

slick tires

gold tires

Question 4 of 30

In a Japanese edition of the game, what do Bowser and Princess Peach drink after races?

champagne

The animation showing them drinking champagne was axed from U.S. versions of the game.

sake

beer

Question 5 of 30

The Tiny Tug kart is exceptional in which area?

acceleration

sea speed

While its sea speed is above average, its air speed is poor.

mini-turbo

Question 6 of 30

What year was the first edition of the game released?

1992

"Super Mario Kart" was released in 1992 for the Super Nintendo console.

1993

1994

Question 7 of 30

How many playable characters appear in "Mario Kart 64"?

eight

The eight playable characters include Yoshi, Donkey Kong and Wario.

six

10

Question 8 of 30

Why was the Blue Shell power-up introduced?

to make the game more difficult

to prevent one player from winning every race

to reduce processing demands on the console

The Blue Shell power-up was created to reduce processing demands. Otherwise, players bunched up often and bogged down the system.

Question 9 of 30

Which edition of the game first featured hang gliders?

"Mario Kart 8"

"Mario Kart 7"

"Mario Kart 7" introduced hang gliders, which allowed karts to soar for a short time.

"Mario Kart Wii"

Question 10 of 30

How many different versions of the game exist?

eight

10

11

The 11 versions include the arcade and portable ones.

Question 11 of 30

What's the maximum number of players that can race in a time trial?

one

Only one player allowed — it's all about achieving the best time possible.

two

four

Question 12 of 30

Which character has appeared in every version of the game?

Donkey Kong Jr.

Koopa Troopa

Bowser

Bowser is a muscular Koopa and one of Mario's fiercest rivals.

Question 13 of 30

What effect does the Thunder Cloud have?

It makes your kart fly.

It speeds your kart up.

The Thunder Cloud speeds your kart up, but it shrinks your cart when the lightning strikes. Luckily, you can bump another player and pass it on before the lightning strikes.

It damages an opponent's tires.

Question 14 of 30

What happens to the game as the difficulty level increases?

There are more weapons available.

You can have more than one player per kart.

Vehicles travel faster.

Be careful not to get whiplash!

Question 15 of 30

Which version of the game was the first to feature 3-D graphics?

"Mario Kart 64"

The Blue Shell projectile power-up makes its first appearance in "Mario Kart 64."

"Mario Kart DS"

"Mario Kart 7"

Question 16 of 30

Which famous character only appears in the arcade versions?

Pac-Man

Pac-Man never made it to the console versions, despite his fame.

Sonic

Agent 47

Question 17 of 30

Why did developers reduce the brightness of the Lightning power-up for "Mario Kart 64" on Wii Virtual Console?

to prevent epileptic seizures

No one is certain, but reducing the possibility of seizures is the most likely explanation.

Game testers did not like the color.

It damaged some computer screens.

Question 18 of 30

Which graphic is animated for the first time in "Mario Kart 8"?

Mario's mustache

Mario's mustache wiggles in the breeze.

Luigi's hat

Bowser's skin

Question 19 of 30

The Bumble V kart has which characteristic?

poor handling

The kart has poor handling and bumbles around like a confused bee.

low acceleration

awful off-road capabilities

Question 20 of 30

Game developers released downloadable content for "Mario Kart 8" that includes racetrack designs from what other game?

"The Legend of Zelda"

You can also play with Link from "The Legend of Zelda," thanks to the download.

"Need for Speed"

"Mega Man"

Question 21 of 30

Which edition first allowed players to drive on ceilings and walls?

"Mario Kart Wii"

"Mario Kart 8"

This anti-gravity capability introduced in "Mario Kart 8" added new dimensions of fun.